A New York woman was charged with second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter among other counts for allegedly starving a 7-year-old boy to death inside her Newburgh apartment.
Orange County prosecutors alleged that 39-year-old Leticia Bravo was responsible for the February death of Peter Cuacuas, the child of her boyfriend Arturo Cuacuas who was also charged in connection with the case.
“It is unthinkable that someone would accept the responsibility of caring for a child and then deny that child the basic necessities of life,” District Attorney David M. Hoovler said.
“Children are the most innocent and vulnerable of victims. It is truly disturbing how this child was kept hidden from school authorities before he died.”
Bravo worked as a childcare provider and yet she left Peter without food behind a bedroom locked doors for long months until he died weighing only 37 pounds as a result of malnutrition.
“Today is about justice for Peter Cuacuas. Our children are our most vulnerable community members,” Commissioner Jose A. Gomerez said.
“This is a devastating case for our entire community, who I know were frustrated over the past eight months with no arrest being made.”
